Patents Examined by Juan J Campos, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11884519
    Abstract: Provided is a crane including a boom. The crane hoists a suspended load through a hook from a tip of the boom, and position adjustment control for causing a position of the hook and a position of the tip of the boom to be close to each other as viewed in a vertical direction is performed until the suspended load is separated from a ground surface from a start of a hoisting motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES CONSTRUCTION CRANES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuro Satou
  • Patent number: 11866307
    Abstract: A boom, of a machine, may include a first member; a second member opposite the first member; and a support structure. The support structure may comprise a first support member; a second support member; and a third support member. The first member, the first support member, and the second support member may define a first opening. The second member, the second support member, and the third support member may define a second opening. A first area of the first opening may exceed a second area of the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron M. Brames
  • Patent number: 11866308
    Abstract: A self-erecting crane includes a mast supporting a foldable jib having jib elements articulated together, configurable between a transport configuration and a work configuration. The crane also includes a motor-driven folding/unfolding system for performing configuration change operations implementing kinematics of folding and unfolding the jib, and a control/command system connected to the motor-driven folding/unfolding system to drive it. One or several inclinometer(s) are mounted on one or several jib element(s) to measure actual inclinations of the jib element(s) with respect to a reference axis. The control/command system is configured to drive the motor-driven folding/unfolding system according to the actual inclinations of the jib element(s) during the kinematics of folding and unfolding the jib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: MANITOWOC CRANE GROUP FRANCE
    Inventors: Nicolas Larmonier, François Lemire
  • Patent number: 11866304
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and to a method for controlling a crane slewing gear. The apparatus comprises a hydraulic motor for driving the slewing gear and for braking the slewing gear from a rotational movement. The slewing gear is kept stationary via a holding brake. A hydraulic brake circuit for controlling the holding brake, a load sensing device for measuring a load instantaneously taken up by the crane, and an orientation sensing device for measuring an instantaneous orientation of the crane and/or of at least one crane component are furthermore provided. In accordance with the disclosure, a hydraulic limitation circuit is provided by means of which a hydraulic pressure applied to the motor can be limited to a specific limit value. A control unit is furthermore provided that determines a maximum permitted torque and/or a parameter derived therefrom for a current slewing gear movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: LIEBHERR-WERK NENZING GMBH
    Inventors: Richard Torghele, Christof Gassner
  • Patent number: 11858782
    Abstract: A trolley of a rope crane, comprising a trolley body, a transverse load beam of the trolley, a hoisting mechanism and comprises a rope drum, a hoisting motor for driving the rope drum, and a gear for coupling the hoisting motor to the rope drum, whereby the gear has a primary side and a secondary side, and whereby the rope drum is located, in the vertical direction of the trolley, between the hoisting motor and load beam parallel to the load beam. The hoisting mechanism is supported by a three-point support to a main beam, whereby the first support point and second support point are adjacent to the secondary side of a gear, and whereby the third support point is formed by a support of the rope from end facing away from the gear to the load beam at a lateral distance from the first and second support point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Konecranes Global Corporation
    Inventors: Jari Kaiturinmäki, Simo Säkkinen
  • Patent number: 11858783
    Abstract: Disclosed is a knuckle boom crane, for offshore application, the knuckle boom crane including a crane house, a knuckle boom carried by the crane house, a component for operating the crane house and the knuckle boom, and a controller for piloting the operating component. The controller include a active compensation module that is designed to pilot the operating means, taking into account data coming from a motion reference unit, in such a way as to stabilize a downstream end of the jib, advantageously in a horizontal plane and/or a vertical position, still preferably in all directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: REEL
    Inventors: Frank Heen, Bart Burger
  • Patent number: 11840429
    Abstract: A frame structure of a hoist, the frame structure including a support frame structure, a bearing wheel arrangement fastened to the support frame structure by suspenders to support the hoist on a main support structure and to move the hoist on the main support structure, whereby the bearing wheel arrangement includes, in the movement direction of the hoist, bearing wheels arranged on opposite sides thereof, and upper sheave arrangements secured to the support frame structure, wherein the support frame structure includes two plates arranged opposite and at a distance from each other, the upper parts of the plates bent towards each other, and in the support frame structure there is arranged an axle passing through both plates, on which axle a sheave is arranged between the plates, and the bent upper parts of the plates are detachably fastenable by a wedge locking to the suspender in order to adjust the mutual distance between the bearing wheels arranged on opposite sides of the support frame structure by means o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: KONECRANES GLOBAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atte Lähteenmäki, Teppo Lindberg, Mikko Jutila, Mikko Ritala, Mikko Mykrä, Henri Helkiö, Henri Kokko, Niko Laukkanen
  • Patent number: 11834304
    Abstract: A lifting and handling device includes a plurality of structural elements, a plurality of operating elements, at least one ballasting element mounted on a structural element, a central monitoring unit, and a plurality of identification components. Each structural, operating and ballasting element is coupled to an identification component, and each identification component includes a radiocommunication module having a radiocommunication range predefined in order to be able to communicate at least with one other identification component. A radiocommunication master unit is connected to the plurality of identification components and intended to receive identification information from each of the components. A method for monitoring an operation of the lifting and handling device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: MANITOWOC CRANE GROUP FRANCE
    Inventors: Bruno Roni-Damond, Simon Bucas
  • Patent number: 11834306
    Abstract: A self-maintaining crane system including a bridge, a trolley, a hoist, and sensors for use within a hostile environment, such as a wastewater treatment facility, is presented. The bridge is movable along a pair of runway rails within the hostile environment. The trolley is movable between the runway rails. The hoist with extendable-retractable cable is movable with the trolley. Bridge sensors separately determine whether the bridge has engaged a bridge home position and a bridge end position. The bridge is movable away from the bridge home position and back toward the bridge end position. Trolley sensors separately determine whether the trolley has engaged a trolley home position and a trolley end position. The trolley is movable away from the trolley home position and back toward the trolley end position. Hoist sensors separately determine whether the cable has engaged a hoist home position and a hoist end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: David R. Cordell & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Cordell
  • Patent number: 11814269
    Abstract: A mobile pipelayer machine includes a machine chassis having a forward end, a rear end, a first side, and a second side, and a boom extending from the first side of the machine chassis. The mobile pipelayer machine also includes a movable counterweight system extending from the second side of the machine chassis, the movable counterweight system being selectively movable to change a center of gravity of the machine in at least one of a forward or a rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Jackson, Benjamin Barbier, Curtis J. Caldwell, Michael T. Jackson
  • Patent number: 11802027
    Abstract: Provided is a hoist arm structure having top and bottom ends, and an attachment element to releasable attach the bottom end of the hoist arm structure to an attachment location of a utility vehicle whereby the hoist arm is able to pivot relative to said attachment location, the hoist system further comprising an adjustment winch having an adjustment cable extending therefrom with adjustment cable having a distal end opposite the crank, and such distal and adjustment winch adapted for securing to respective structural elements of a structural frame system, wherein such structural elements are located on opposite lateral side of the utility vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Philbilt LLC
    Inventor: Phillip Szymanowski
  • Patent number: 11802028
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a telescopic boom for a crane, wherein the telescopic sections of the telescopic boom each comprise at least one main telescopic part and at least one additional telescopic part and wherein the main telescopic part and the additional telescopic part are arranged above one another. The disclosure further relates to a crane having a corresponding telescopic boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: LIEBHERR-WERK EHINGEN GMBH
    Inventor: Joachim Henkel
  • Patent number: 11795039
    Abstract: A locking device for a telescopic boom, in particular of a mobile crane, has an actuator for generating an actuating force, a driver that is reversibly coupled, during a telescoping movement of the telescopic boom, to a locking bolt, which is secured at a boom extension segment of the telescopic boom, and to be moved under the action of the actuating force for adjusting the locking bolt between at least one locking position and a release position. A driver bolt can be moved reversibly by the actuating force between a carry-along position gripping an inner boom extension segment and an empty running position not gripping a boom extension segment. A slotted actuating link is configured for a joint movement of the locking bolt and the driver bolt. A movement plane of the slotted actuating link is oriented perpendicularly to the telescoping direction of the telescopic boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TADANO FAUN GmbH
    Inventor: Detlef Uderhardt
  • Patent number: 11787673
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a mobile crane comprising a superstructure having at least one bearing point for pinning on a boom, wherein the bearing point comprises two spaced apart side parts that each have a bore for receiving the pin; and wherein the boom comprises at least one connection part that is provided with a bore and that can be introduced between the side parts such that a common connection pin can be pushed through the bores of the side parts and the connection part, wherein the clear width between the side parts is larger than the width of the connection part of the boom, and wherein a step pin is provided as a connection pin and its formed shoulder forms an abutment for the connection part of the pinned boom in the pinned position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: LIEBHERR-WERK EHINGEN GMBH
    Inventors: Franz Oelberger, Mario Helbig, Andreas Bronner
  • Patent number: 11780712
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a mobile crane that comprises an undercarriage having a chassis and comprises a superstructure that is rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the undercarriage and has a telescopic boom at whose tip a boom head is arranged. The boom has holding means at one side for the support of a folding boom that can be releasably installed at the boom head. The boom laterally has a console and a holding element arranged between the console and the boom head. The folding boom is pivotable about a vertical axis of the holding element for the installation at the boom head, while it is supported on the console. In accordance with the present disclosure, a first securing device is arranged in the region of the console by means of which a movement of the folding boom deviating from a pivot movement about a vertical axis can be limited. The present disclosure furthermore relates to a folding boom for a crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Boos
  • Patent number: 11772941
    Abstract: A crane vehicle achieves safe movement by reliably detecting an obstacle in a region which is a blind spot from the opposite side of the driver seat across a boom. The crane vehicle includes an obstacle sensor which is a transmission/reception antenna that transmits a detection wave and receives the detection wave reflected from the obstacle. A signal corresponding to the reflected wave received by the obstacle sensor is amplified and input to a controller, which calculates the position and the size of the obstacle on the basis of the signal. The controller generates an obstacle display image and displays the image on a display, the obstacle display image including a vehicle object that represents a crane vehicle and an obstacle object which is an object corresponding to the calculated size of the obstacle and which is disposed at a position corresponding to the calculated position of the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: TADANO LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11767081
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a bicycle front derailleur including a fixed component, a chain guide, a first link, a second link, and a driving assembly. Two opposite ends of the first link are respectively disposed on the fixed component and the chain guide. The two opposite ends of the second link are respectively disposed on the fixed component and the chain guide. The driving assembly includes a driving shaft, a push component, an output gear and a power source. The push component and the output gear are fixed on the driving shaft, the power source is disposed on the fixed component and connected to the output gear, the push component is in contact with the first link, and the power source is configured to drive the push component to pivot the first link with respect to the fixed component via the output gear and the driving shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: TEKTRO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tzung Ye Wu, Bo-Yi Liao
  • Patent number: 11760611
    Abstract: Hoists, platforms and davits are described as well as methods of securing same to telecommunication and other towers. The hoists, platforms and davits may be secured to the towers on a temporary basis using clamps. The clamps may include brackets and cables. The cables may be attached to the brackets, may wrap around the outer surface/perimeter of the tower pole/leg and may use tension to keep the bracket in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: MATT'S ARM, LLC
    Inventor: James S. Mayfield
  • Patent number: 11754146
    Abstract: A belt element for a vehicular transmission belt is designed to be supported by the bands such that the head portion is located on an outer side of the bands. The base, head and connecting portions define two slots for engagement with the respective annular bands, and the base portion has an edge extending in its width direction. The edge includes a first edge located inwardly of widthwise ends of the head portion and functioning as a fulcrum of the belt element upon rocking of the belt element, and second edges located outwardly of the widthwise ends. The base portion has a smaller thickness on an inner side of the edge than on an outer side of the edge, and the second edges are located nearer to the head portion than the first edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daisuke Kikukawa
  • Patent number: 11746951
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, apparatuses, and methods to deploy a suspended load control apparatus onto a suspension cable and optionally allowing the suspended load control system to rotate about the suspension cable without imparting a significant rotational force on the suspension cable from rotation of the suspended load control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Vita Inclinata IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Derek Sikora, Caleb B. Carr, Logan Goodrich